Snowdrops

O DARLING spirits of the snow,
Who hide within your heart the green,
Howe'er the wintry wind may blow.
. The secret of the summer sheen
Ye smile to know !

By frozen rills, in woods and mead,
A mild pure sisterhood ye grow,
Who bend the meek and quiet head.
And are a token from below
From our dear dead,

As in their turf ye softly shine,
Of innocent white lives they lead —
With healing influence Divine
For souls who on their memory feed,
World-worn like mine.